"Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!" This is a traditional Easter greeting among Christians in the Greek Orthodox Church and other eastern rite churches. These joyful words are not limited to Easter Sunday. In the weeks that follow Easter they are exchanged between believers as a sign that the Risen Jesus Christ is to be the center of the lives of every Christian.
In the Catholic Church we express this same joy in what we call the Easter Season. It is a period of fifty days that begin with Easter and concludes with Pentecost Sunday. It is fitting that the many of the most joyful celebrations of the year in our parish take place during this time. Beginning with the Easter Vigil we receive new members through the Sacrament of Baptism along with those who come into full communion with the Church. It continues with the Sacrament of Confirmation for our high school youth, which took place at Holy Family Cathedral in Sunday, April 22, and First Communion that will be on Sunday, April 29, for our 2nd grade children. Congratulations to them all! Many engaged couples also enter the Sacrament of Marriage at this time.
It is fitting that these central events of our lives; baptism, confirmation, communion, and marriage, are centered on the Risen Jesus Christ. In the same way the Sunday Eucharist is to be the center of our weekly lives. During the last three Sundays in the Gospel readings at Mass we have heard the Resurrected Jesus greet His disciples with the simple yet profound words, "Peace be with you." This is more that a mere greeting, such as saying, "Good morning". Rather it is a blessing that the peace and joy of God and of Heaven itself enter the heart and soul. Instead of words of judgement and punishment towards those who abandoned Him on Good Friday, the Risen Jesus offers these words of blessing. For in the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus the infinite love and mercy of God is made real.
As He did for the disciples on that first Easter, so Jesus continues to do for us today. He offers us the gift of peace by inviting us fully into His life, especially in the Eucharist. So that our lives may be centered on His, in this life and in the next. For, "Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Alleluia!"
Fr. Bryan